The Hurt Locker

In an attempt to rectify my shocking lack of Oscar 2010 knowledge I began with the simplest movie to watch. The one that was On Demand. I expected that I would probably like or at least be interested in The Hurt Locker, a film about an EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) unit based in Iraq. One of the most interesting trivia about the film is that it was directed by a woman, Kathryn Bigelow, who by the way, is the first woman ever to win for Best Director. yay! (And about time).

This isn't the sort of film you'd expect to be directed by a woman, because it's a guy's kind of movie- war, exploding bombs, lots of testosterone slamming in the air. But I have to say, I was absolutely riveted from the first second. The story takes off when a new Sargent (played by Jeremy Renner) comes to the 3 man squad. He's the sort of brash, dangerous, risk-taking protagonist who on the surface seems doomed to bring the squad down. But he's a complex character and I really grew to root for him, even when he did stupid things. There are cameos in the film by Guy Pearce, Evangeline Lilly and Ralph Fiennes. It's gritty and makes no pretense that war is anything but dirty business.

One of the "fun" things about watching this movie was of course, Mike Geraci. His sideline commentary, I have to say, in this case, actually added to the film's experience. I'm always amazed at the stuff he comes up with. Although I have to say it's a little scary to realize just how much your husband really knows about explosives.

Oscars!

I love love love love movies and I love watching the Oscars. It's like being a kid again and getting to crash your parent's grown up party for a few minutes- a sneak peek into a glitzy glamorous world.

I'm ashamed to say that this year for the first time ever I saw NONE of the nominated films. This is partly due to the fact that I've been under deadline since October and most of the films nominated all come out in one swoop drop at the end of the year, so I have some catching up to do.

I loved the duo hosting gig done by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin (It's Complicated was the one and only film I saw during the holiday season. It was cute and uncomplicated, so it was a pleasant no-brainer).

Highlights of the night? Gerard Butler. Yummy. Sandra Bullock looked beautiful. Penelope Cruz did too.

Films I most want to watch after seeing the show: Nine, The Hurt Locker, Up in the Air, Precious.

Films I least want to watch after seeing the show: Avatar, The Blind Side (although I'm sure I will probably watch them both.)

I've heard Avatar is so-so from almost everyone who's seen it (including my kids). The Blind Side, on the other hand I've heard is awesome. But really, who did the trailer for that movie? Because it's the awful trailer that puts the movie further down my to-be-seen list.
unknown voice: You're changing that boy's life."
Sandra Bullock: "No, he's changing mine."
Cringe worthy dialogue to be sure. The movie has to be better than than, though. Right?

One last thing. Can someone in charge of the Oscars please start them a little earlier? I finally went to bed at 11:30 and they weren't even close to coming to the big ones. I set my DVR with the 30 minute extra time thing and it still cut off at Best Actor. Grrr....

Round One goes to Me

I finally turned the manuscript that won't stop writing itself in to my editor this week. A huge sigh of relief was let out by all. Mostly by me, of course. And probably by Mel, who's been urging me for weeks to just turn the damn thing in. Of course, she's listened to me whine incessantly about it. How it just wasn't "done" yet, how it needed just a tiny bit more tweaking, how in the eleventh hour I've discovered *one* more loose end that needs tucking back in. I joked that I'd wake up one morning and find that instead of a word doc. on my laptop, my manuscript had grown hair and nails and teeth and fists and was ready to beat me up. In the end, however, I won round one.

As I sit back on day 3 of the waiting period (this is the excruciating period in which I wait to hear from my editor to see what she thinks of the book) I'm already thinking of ways to sharpen the plot. Because the book sold on synopsis, I had to pre-plot the book, something I think is important to do, because I need direction. But pre-plotting isn't written in stone and the last half of the book turned out to be very different than the original idea I had in mind. Once you start writing characters, giving them dialogue, they take the book over and there's not much you can do about that except go along for the ride.

Meanwhile, I'm taking a much needed break from the manuscript to do things I haven't had time to do. Like clean house. Catch up on emails (I have millions) and read:) I've already read the first 2 books in Madeline Hunter's awesome new series- Ravishing in Red and Provocative in Pearls. Loved them both. And have also read Kristin Higgin's newest The Next Best Thing. LOVED IT. I'm currently reading Table Manners by Mia King which has been on my TBR pile for months now. Next is Louisa's book On the Steamy Side. (can't wait) and then I'm going to try a new author for me, Julie James. Her new release Something About You has gotten some great reviews and I've wanted to read her for awhile now.

And in some extremely exciting news, Jim and Pam are having their baby tonight! I'll be glued to my telly, that's for sure.

On the Steamy Side

Yay! There's no more waiting because On The Steamy Side hits bookstores today! This is Louisa Edward's 2nd book in her Recipe for Love series and it promises to be just as romantic and funny as Can't Stand the Heat the book that introduced us to all the wonderful characters at Market, the upscale NY restaurant at the heart of the books. I had the privilege of reading a rough draft of the first few chapters a while ago and it was absolutely fantastic.

On The Steamy Side

She’s Never Met A Man So Mouth-Watering
When Lilah Jane Tunkle fled her dull life in Virginia for the bright lights of New York City, she didn’t expect to wind up a nanny to a gorgeous celebrity chef’s ten-year-old son. Working for the delectable Devon Sparks is a sure-fire recipe for disaster, especially after Lilah gets a tantalizing taste of his perfectly seasoned kisses . . .

And He Can’t Resist Her Down-Home Spice
Devon’s not sure he can handle one more surprise ingredient in his life—he left his popular TV show, his culinary reputation is on the line, and now the son he barely knows is back for seconds. Lilah’s Southern sass is supposed to keep the boy in line, but soon enough she’s teaching Devon a thing or two about homespun food . . . and turning up the heat.

Knight Agency agents answer your questions

Do you have questions about current trends? Concerned your writing resolutions for the new year fallen to the wayside? Well have no fear, agents Lucienne Diver and Nephele Tempest are hosting our February online chat, and they are ready to guide you to success.

From the best writing habits to keep yourself on track, the number one qualities in a query that truly impress an agent, how to stand out at writers' conferences, and beyond -- they've got ALL the answers to your publishing questions.

Additionally, to celebrate the upcoming Valentine's holiday, we will be giving away TONS of books by some of our most beloved romance authors.

When: Thursday, February 11th @ 9pm ET
Where: TKA's chat room**:
Do you have questions about current trends? Concerned your writing resolutions for the new year fallen to the wayside? Well have no fear, agents Lucienne Diver and Nephele Tempest are hosting our February online chat, and they are ready to guide you to success.

From the best writing habits to keep yourself on track, the number one qualities in a query that truly impress an agent, how to stand out at writers' conferences, and beyond -- they've got ALL the answers to your publishing questions.

Additionally, to celebrate the upcoming Valentine's holiday, we will be giving away TONS of books by some of our most beloved romance authors.

When: Thursday, February 11th @ 9pm ET
Where: TKA's chat room**: http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.php?id=115545
How To Chat: Enter any combination of username and password. Login.
**Your computer must be Java enabled to chat.





How To Chat: Enter any combination of username and password. Login.
**Your computer must be Java enabled to chat.

Bid on shoes for a great cause

My good pal, Marley Gibson, author of the fabulous Ghosthuntress series is auctioning off a never before worn pair of Stuart Weitzman black pumps on EBay right here. The original selling price for these lovlies is $376. All proceeds will go to the Salvation Army's efforts in Haiti. If I wore size 7s I'd bid myself, unfortunately, my foot is ahem, slightly larger.

I love my Kindle, But

I don't pretend to know all the ins and outs of the recent Amazon/MacMillian brouhaha. I'm way too deep into revision mode on Boyfriend Club to come out for more than a few seconds of air, but when I'd heard Amazon had pulled the buy buttons on MacMillian books in order to teach MacMillian a "lesson" (I guess) I had to sit up and notice.

I'm not published by MacMillian, but that's not the point. What happens to one publisher can easily happen to another publisher and as well as being a writer, I'm a consumer, and I have a huge vested interested in how all this plays out. Of course, as of yesterday, it was reported that Amazon has caved into MacMillian's demands and the whole riff is over.

Where the new Apple I-Pad (tee hee) comes into all this is interesting. Competition is good. It's the American Way of life. It's consumerism at it's best. Take it away, and we become, well, Russia.

So in my simplistic way of looking at things, this is what I have to say:

I don't care how many e-readers are out there. The more the merrier.

If a publisher wants to charge 15 bucks for an e-book then let them. It's up to me as a consumer to decide if it's worth it or not.

Price control on e-books is not a bad thing. No one wants to see bookstores and real live books that you can hold, touch, feel and smell go away.

I received a Kindle for my birthday last November and I'm currently reading Pieces of Sky (great western romance) on it. It's instant gratification at its best and for me an alternative way to do what I love most- read. Since buying it, I've bought two print books that I'd originally bought on my Kindle because I loved them so much and I wanted to reread them in the best way possible, by flipping live pages.

I love my Kindle, but it's no substitute for the real thing.

Ravishing in Red

Still working on the manuscript... Every time I think Boyfriend Club is almost done, there's more to do. But I stand by the conviction that good writing is good re-writing and I want this book to rock like an earthquake. So this weekend, I'm totally going without any distractions. I won't even be answering the phone, unless it's to call Mel, who I have to confer with several times a day. I'm sure she's completely sick of me and my book. Too bad for her (insert evil laugh in here).

When I finally turn in this manuscript, I'm going to treat myself big. One of the things I'm going to do is read Madeline Hunter's new release Ravishing in Red. Isn't that a great title? MH is my favorite historical romance author. The book trailer is so yummy it makes my mouth water.

4 and 1/2 stars!

Andrea at The Romance Dish gave Bunco Babes Gone Wild a very tasty review and 4.5 stars. Yay! You can read about it right here. She's also giving away a copy of the book, so make sure to leave a comment!

The Boyfriend of the Month Club cover!

So I know it's a little premature, since the book doesn't come out till December, but I just can't keep it in any longer. I have a cover! At least I have a preliminary cover. I really hope nothing changes because I really just love this look so much. It captures everything about the book.

Here's a sneak preview of the unofficial back cover copy:

Stud? Dud? Stick in the mud?
Are all the good ones taken?

At thirty, Grace O’Bryan has dated every loser that Daytona Beach has to offer. After the ultimate date-from-hell, Grace decides to take matters into her own hands and turns her dwindling book club into a Boyfriend of the Month Club, where women can come together to discuss the eligible men in their community. Where are the real live twenty-first century versions of literary heroes such as Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy?

Could it be successful and handsome Brandon Farrell, who is willing to overlook his disastrous first date with Grace and offers financial help for her parents’ failing Florida gift shop? Or maybe sexy dentist Joe Rosenblum, who’s great with a smile but not so great at commitment? Unfortunately, just like books, men cannot always be judged by their covers…

Things I have to be thankful for

Thanksgiving is ten months away (or 2 months ago, depending on on how you see things) but I woke up this morning bright and early, thankful for so many things.

1. I am thankful that everyone in my family is alive and well. My 16 year-old daughter totaled her car yesterday morning on the way to the school. About ten minutes after she walked out the door I got a call on my cell phone from her and I just knew she'd been in an accident. It's been raining for a couple of days straight with some severe flooding in town and I've cringed every time she's gotten in the car. The good news is no one in the 3 car accident got hurt. And the accident wasn't her fault;) The bad news is that now we have to get a new car, but I'm not complaining. The alternative scenario is too scary to think about.

2. I'm almost done with The Boyfriend of the Month Club. It's rough and needs polishing, but I think I'm going to make my deadline. Yay! Plus, I got to see an unofficial sneak peak at the cover and all I can tell you is that the Cover Gods have been very very good to me.

3. Today I have my FPHRW meeting. I love these meetings. I always get so revved up. Plus, honestly, I need to leave the house. This hermit/writing thing is not good for me.

4. I have a hair appointment Monday morning, which means my kudzu growing roots will go bye-bye.

5. And lastly, I recently received this very nice review for Bunco Babes Gone Wild from the Chicklit Romance Writers.

So life is good.

Turn in your Hilton Honor points to help Earthquake victims

This morning, after seeing yet another front page of the horrendous devastation done by the earthquake in Haiti, Mike Geraci turned to me in disgust and said, "Why it always the poorest people in the world always get the shaft?"

I wish I had an answer to that.

Because I'm writing like a fiend right now, I'm pretty much ignoring my email. But I had to open this one. It's brilliant. For every 10,000 points you turn in, Hilton will donate $25 to the Red Cross Haitian relief effort. I don't know if other companies are offering similar deals, but it's a fantastic idea. I turned in all my points (which I rarely even remember to ever use anyway). If you're a member of the Hilton Honors program, all you'll need to provide is your name, your HH act number and how many points you'd like to donate (in increments of 10,000).

Dear Hilton HHonors Members: Help the Earthquake Victims in Haiti.

Hilton HHonors® has partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help victims affected by the January 12th earthquake in Haiti. If you would like to support the effort we have arranged for HHonors members to be able to donate points to support relief efforts. For every 10,000 points you donate, we'll send US$25 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. If you would like to join us in supporting the victims of the earthquake in Haiti by donating points please visit us here.

Mold-A-Rama!

Ah, there's nothing like the feel of a freshly made warm plastic toy in your hand. Put one up to your nostrils, and it even smells like summer vacation. And fighting with your sister in the back seat of the family car (no seat belts required) and drinking icy cold RC cola out of a glass bottle.

One of the best parts about writing my new book has been the research. If you're old enough to remember Mold-A-Rama machines, then you might get a kick out of knowing that one of these ancient puppies is featured in my new book, The Boyfriend of the Month Club, a romantic comedy due out December, 2010.

A lot of the action in the story takes place at Florida Charlies, an old fashioned Florida tourist trap. Although Florida Charlies is a figment of my imagination, it's modeled after the dozens of roadside stops and attractions that were so popular in Florida during the 1960's when I was but a wee thing. And the best part of a lot of these places were the Mold-A-Rama machines. For about a quarter, or maybe 50 cents, you could watch this strange space-age looking machine make a wax figurine just for you. My favorite was a bird figurine from Busch Gardens (Tampa) which I understand now has some of these almost antique machines still in production. MOSI (Museum of Space and Industry in Tampa), and the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo as well as the Miami zoo are also just a few of the other places that still have working Mold-A-Rama machines.

Once I get my book done and my website revamped I'm going to dedicate a section to some of the research I did. I know, nerdy, of me, isn't it? But I just can't help it. These things were just so much damn fun. Almost as much fun as writing about one of them.

The Help

I've been meaning to write this post for a while, but being that I'm in the middle of a book deadline, I'm lucky to be brushing my teeth right now (okay, I do brush my teeth several times a day, it's washing my hair that's taken a sideline). I know there are writers who don't read while they're in deep writing mode, but I'm not one of them. It would be like asking me to stop breathing. I simply can't. I mean, there has to be some kind of break in the day, and I always, always, always, read before going to sleep at night.

A few weeks ago I read The Help (a book that has intrigued me from the moment I first heard of it). I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I cried, I laughed and I mostly marveled at what a fantastic writer Kathryn Stockett is (which means I desperately hate her, of course) Seriously, Kathryn, if you're listening, you make me want to be a better writer.

THE HELP

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women--mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends--view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

Contest Winner!

Just to dispel any crazy notions out there, I'm still alive. With a January 25th deadline for my next book, I've been hibernating in my writing cave aka closet every spare second I can get. The new book is coming along well (hopefully that's not a delusion), although I always despair that it's never good enough and that my editor will hate it. I'll let you know next month how that goes;)

So last month I ran a review contest. Congratulations to Terri D of Lexington Park, Maryland! She won a $50 gift card to Borders, a book bag from Books-A-Million (cuz I like to share the love) and all the books you see pictured above (some of my very favorite reads!)

Thank you to all of you who entered and to all of you who have taken the time to write a review of my books, especially during the busy holiday season. It really means a lot!

Dishing up some Romance

Today I'm over at The Romance Dish, talking about... reading during the holidays again. And I'm giving away another book, so if you don't have a copy of Bunco Babes Gone Wild, head on over here. You might be a lucky winner.

Like I say in my post, I'm trying hard not to stress over all the holiday stuff still left to do. But it's hard. I'm a woman. Stress is my middle name.

Blogging at Night Owl Romance

Today, I'm over at Night Owl Romance, where Bunco Babes Gone Wild was selected as a top reviewer pick! I'm blogging about reading during the holidays and will be giving away a signed copy of Bunco Babes Gone Wild. Don't miss out! It's all right here.

No disappointment here

I pretty much wrote Bunco Babes Tell All while listening to Colbie Caillat's debut album Coco. I really didn't think she could surpass the quality of that album. Most sophomoric attempts are disappointing. I was so glad to discover I was wrong. Breakthrough, her newest album is just as good as Coco. Maybe even be better. I just know that as I'm writing on my wip Boyfriend of the Month Club, the songs are helping stir up my artistic juices. Especially now where I'm at an impasse and wondering if I should stick to the synopsis I sent my editor or go in another direction?

Something is telling me the other direction might be better. But yet... Argh. Not sure. Maybe listening to Fearless a few more dozen times might jiggle something.

Meanwhile, I have my Florida Panhandle meeting today at noon. It's our Christmas party. It's raining catfish and doggie treats outside and I hate going out in the rain but the party should be fun. Plus I've been cooped up writing for too long!

Contest!

Want to have lots of reading ahead in the New Year?

You could be the winner of a $50 gift certificate to Borders PLUS a bag full of some of my favorite books. If you've read Bunco Babes Tell All or Bunco Babes Gone Wild, write a review and post it online. It doesn't have to be long or overly flattering- (I want your honest opinion!) Post your review on a website like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, etc. You'll get 1 contest entry for each review. For example, if you write a review for Bunco Babes Tell All on Amazon.com, that's 1 entry. If you write a review for Bunco Babes Tell All on Amazon and Goodreads, and a review for Bunco Babes Gone Wild at Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble, that's 5 entries! And a better chance of winning.

If you've already written a review for one of my books, perfect. Just let me know where it is and that you're interested in entering the contest.

To enter, send me an email at mariageraci1@gmail.com with the word "Contest Entry" in the subject line. Tell me where the reviews are, and it's that simple. Contest ends December 20.

Good Luck!

It's On

It's December 1 and you know what that means. Only 24 days left till Christmas and only 54 days left until I turn in my next manuscript. Mama's got some work to do.

Thanksgiving in Orlando was wonderful especially since my sister did 95% of all the cooking, cleaning and decorating. I helped, I really did, but she had almost everything ready when we got there. I did bring this delicious flan cake (half-flan half-cake, all delicious) but I can't take the credit for making it. Mike Geraci bought it from a co-worker's wife who's selling them. It was absolutely fabulous!